This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Vegas will try to even up the series after Alexander Radulov scored 31 seconds into overtime in Game 3. The series has swung back and forth but it's odd that whenever Vegas outplays their opposition and puts up more than 40 shots on goal, they seem to lose. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. EDT.
The Islanders can tie the series at two games apiece with a win on Sunday. They survived a scare after Tyler Johnson tied it up late, only to have Brock Nelson save the day. It was a good sign the Isles could take advantage of a shorthanded Lightning squad, but they needed a little luck to do so. Puck drop is at 3 p.m. EDT.
GOALIES
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. NYI ($7,900): Vasilevskiy has been otherwise outstanding despite the loss in Game 3, with Nelson's winner coming off a broken play and a no-look pass from Anthony Beauvillier that somehow snuck by Ryan McDonagh. If the Lightning will have Alex Killorn in the lineup and can get Brayden Point back, they should be in line for another win.
Robin Lehner, VGK vs. DAL ($7,800): Lehner was tagged with the loss after allowing three goals on only 23 shots and allowed Radulov's winner on Dallas's first shot in the extra period. Peter DeBoer has made it clear he prefers Lehner as his starter, but Marc-Andre Fleury showed very well in Game 1 with 24 saves and could get the nod. Either way, expect Vegas to control puck possession and outshoot the Stars as they've done most of the playoffs.
Anton Khudobin, DAL vs. VGK ($7,400): Khudobin has been boom-or-bust in the playoffs and it's surprising how resilient he's been even though he's never previously carried this kind of playoff workload. There's a much higher chance of him facing more shots than whomever Vegas chooses to start. And given the Stars' talented blue line, it's unlikely Khudobin will allow many goals. The Golden Knights just don't have the same elite finishing ability of the Avs, although they'll come out strong to even the series.
Semyon Varlamov, NYI vs. TB ($7,300): Varlamov has played well, but he's only a strong value play if the Lightning can get shots on net. They broke through in Game 3 with 37 after registering just 46 over Games 1 and 2, but that's the exception rather than the norm for the usually defensively stalwart Isles.
VALUE PLAYS
Paul Stastny, VGK vs. DAL ($4,100): DeBoer has put his lines in a blender and Stastny is a big beneficiary by getting shifts with Max Pacioretty and Alex Tuch on his wings. He's racked up four points in his past two games and comes at a significant discount compared to William Karlsson ($8,000), who has only scored four points since Game 1 against Vancouver.
Anthony Cirelli, TB vs. NYI ($3,700): If Point misses another game, Cirelli will remain on the top line. He didn't register a point Friday, but the trio did generate some scoring chances and he finished with four shots on goal in over 20 minutes of play.
Chandler Stephenson, VGK vs. DAL ($2,900): Also benefitting from DeBoer's line juggling is Stephenson, who played 5:36 at even strength with Alex Tuch and Mark Stone, which led all line combos with 11 shot attempts. Stephenson's scoring ability isn't nearly on their level, but he offers good speed and finished with two shots on goal in Game 3. They looked pretty solid as a unit and Stephenson should be able to grab a point sooner than later if DeBoer sticks with this trio.
LINE STACKS
Islanders vs. Lightning
Brock Nelson (C - $5,800), Josh Bailey (W - $4,300), Anthony Beauvillier (W - $5,100)
They combined for six points - including Nelson's game winner - and remains a solid option for a reasonable salary. They've been, analytically speaking, the Isles' best line for most of the playoffs by generating plenty of chances and limiting them in their own end.
Golden Knights vs. Stars
Chandler Stephenson (C - $2,900), Mark Stone (W - $6,500), Alex Tuch (W - $4,600)
Stephenson and Tuch makes this a pretty affordable line stack for a scoring line. The unit has a decent mix of speed (Stephenson), playmaking (Stone) and finish (Tuch). Through four games -including one in round robin - they've generated a 20 shot attempts versus 12 against, according to Natural Stat Trick.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. DAL ($6,700): Having Theodore is like skating with a fourth forward. He's produced two points and eight shots through three games and has arguably been Vegas's best player. Considering how often Theodore shoots the puck and his role on the power play, it's a fair argument to say he's just as valuable as any of the Golden Knights' top-six forwards.
Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. VGK ($5,400): Heiskanen has been relatively quiet for his standards with just one assist in three games, but he continues to log big minutes for the Stars. His 19 points already marks a record high for a Stars defenseman in a postseason.
Nate Schmidt, VGK vs. DAL ($4,900): I like Schmidt because he's a high-floor player who plays at both ends. His offensive production has dried up a little, but he's been getting unlucky bounces and generally speaking has been a reliable source of blocked shots. That's a little harder to do when the Golden Knights control the play so often, but he's posted at least three shots or three blocked shots in two games this series.
Mikhail Sergachev, TB vs. NYI ($4,200): Sergachev stuffed the scoresheet in Game 3, finishing with two points, four shots and blocking two. If Victor Hedman's high salary ($6,300) isn't palatable, Sergachev makes for a decent second option.
